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| Quinn Tran, IRCC President (left), Thu Mong Hoang (Community Activist), Tanya Thai Ha, IRCC Board (right) |
The Viet Museum has been closed since December 2024. History San Jose, the organization hired by San Jose City to manage Kelley Park and the buildings in the park (including the Viet Museum), decided to close the building since they could not determine the current legal operator /owner of the museum
According to the IRCC by-laws. the board shall hold an annual election to elect the board members by IRCC members. IRCC was established in 1976 as a membership nonprofit where members paid annual dues. The new board was elected by IRCC members in early January 2025. According to the Secretary of State's records, Quinn Tran is currently the President and Board Member.
To satisfy History San Jose's request for clarity of legal authority over Viet Museum, Tran submitted to History San Jose relevant official documents regarding the current governance body and legal ownership of IRCC recognized by various state's agencies. IRCC is the sole legal entity in the affiliate agreement with History San Jose. IRCC has been in contract with History San Jose since 2007 as the parent entity of Viet Museum.
Apparently, this was not enough for Bill Schroh, CEO of History San Jose. He declared that he will not open the museum until he sees either a legal judgment or a written agreement signed by the new board elected by members in January 2025 and the alleged board that was trying to illegally take over IRCC from its founder, Loc Vu.
At the press conference and the subsequent public comment segment at the SJ City Council meeting on the same day, IRCC supporters and board members demanded that the Viet Museum be open so that all can access it, especially during the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon.
In the City Council Chamber, Ha Trieu spoke about the importance of the Viet Museum to the Vietnamese community's heritage and culture. It serves as a significant institution to preserve and showcase the history of the Vietnamese exodus seeking freedom and the diaspora experience in Santa Clara County. He also reminded the City Council that Mayoral Chief of Staff Jim Reed promised him publicly that he would help open the museum in February this year.
Thu Mong Hoang was last to speak and she said:
"... I stand before you not just as a cancer patient,
but as someone who has poured heart, time, and resources into a cause that
means the world to me—and to so many others.
Since 2012, I have devoted myself to helping build the Black Wall at the Viet
Museum, a solemn tribute to the heroes who gave their lives for freedom. In
2020, I contributed again to the creation of the Quảng Trị Monument—another
sacred symbol of courage and sacrifice.
These landmarks are not just pieces of history; they are the soul of a
resilient community, a bridge for generations, and a testament to the
sacrifices made in the name of liberty. And now, as we approach the 50th
anniversary of the loss of our country, such a symbolic and meaningful
milestone—this museum must not be silenced.
The thought of closing it down breaks my heart. It feels less like a decision
and more like a punishment to all those who have fought, who have given, and
who have remembered.
I humbly ask you: Please, keep the Viet Museum open. Let it continue to stand
as a place of honor, of memory, and of hope."
In response to the lobbying and pressure from IRCC and community leaders, the City Council took a temporary measure allowing the museum to be open from April 30 to May 10.
In the meantime, an affiliate renewal with IRCC is due by July 1, 2025. History San Jose already asked IRCC in an email: " If a legally validated governing organization is not established by that time, IRCC risks losing its affiliate status and occupancy of the Greenwalt House where the Viet Museum is located."
The issue facing IRCC is that the illegitimate board consisting of Nhut Quang Ho, Tue Quang Phan, Cuong Duc Nguyen, My Linh Pham, still claims that they are in possession of IRCC despite the fact that they were never voted in to be board members. So far, they have refused to provide documents to prove their legitimacy and are unwilling to go through arbitration.
To better understand why Viet Museum is closed, see the following link -
https://littlesaigoninside.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-ironic-and-shameful-fight-for-viet.html
